In a conversation with socialbites.ca, the Lyceum singer Anastasia Makarevich described guitarist Sergei Kolchin as a veteran musician and one of the best in Russia. The news of Kolchin’s passing at the age of 45 left him and many others shaken, and Makarevich spoke candidly about the impact of his loss.
It hurts to think that Sergei left this world so soon and so abruptly. The group had been looking for a guitarist to perform at a concert marking the 25th anniversary of Lyceum. Their sound engineer had already suggested that Sergei Kolchin was among the country’s top players, and Makarevich decided to reach out. Sergei agreed with enthusiasm. He was widely regarded as a master of his craft, a guitarist who embodied traditional technique while delivering performances with remarkable precision. For the Lyceum concert, the band faced complex guitar parts that not every guitarist could tackle, and Sergei arrived with the skill and calm that made everything click. The collaboration felt natural from the moment he joined, turning a memorable anniversary show into a defining moment for the group. That evening and the subsequent anniversary tour showcased Sergei’s steady reliability and willingness to dive into demanding material, earning him appreciation from colleagues and fans alike.
Makarevich learned about Sergei’s death through the networks shared by fellow musicians. The news was a heavy blow, and she offered condolences to loved ones, recognizing how painful it is when talented people depart too early. She recalled Sergei as humble, kind, and open to new ideas, someone who was always ready to suggest a different approach or demonstrate a technique. Those who knew him describe him as someone who made others feel safe and inspired confidence with his quiet generosity and professional integrity. His presence on and off the stage left a lasting impression on colleagues and friends who remember him as someone who listened, encouraged, and shared openly.
The news of Sergei Kolchin’s passing was posted by his friends and former colleagues, including Sergei Skachkov, who led Zemlyane previously. Skachkov wrote about their five years of collaboration from 2012 to 2018, expressing respect and a final farewell. The post highlighted Sergei’s age of forty-five and his role as a guitarist who contributed meaningfully to both Zemlyane and Lyceum during his career. He ended his message with a simple wish for rest, underscoring the sense of loss felt within the music community.
Family representatives have not disclosed the cause of Sergei Kolchin’s death, leaving questions about what happened in the days leading up to his passing. Yet the music world continues to celebrate his talents and acknowledge the doors he helped to open for others. Across both the rock and pop circles in which he performed, Sergei’s technical mastery and generous spirit are remembered as lasting gifts that inspired younger players and impressed seasoned professionals alike. The legacy he leaves behind is not limited to the recorded performances or the stages he graced; it also includes the examples he set in professionalism, humility, and collaboration. In reflecting on his career, friends and fans alike recognize a guitarist who could blend old-school discipline with a willingness to experiment, delivering performances that were honest and technically exacting. Those who shared stages with him describe a friend who could read a room, respond with warmth, and elevate the music simply by being present and prepared.
As the community continues to remember Sergei Kolchin, the sentiment remains consistent: a guitarist who helped shape the sound of two notable bands and who did so with a quiet fervor that left a mark on every project he touched. For fans in Canada and the United States, the story resonates as a reminder of the universal language of music — a language that binds players across generations and borders, turning collaboration into lasting memories and leaving behind a standard of artistry that others strive to meet.